diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 5a671c2..91c9bbf 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ runs:
     - run: |
         : enable Cargo sparse registry
         echo CARGO_UNSTABLE_SPARSE_REGISTRY=true >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        echo REGISTRIES_CRATES_IO_PROTOCOL=sparse >> $GITHUB_ENV
       shell: bash
 
     - run: rustc +${{steps.parse.outputs.toolchain}} --version --verbose